Chapter 7

The waves crashed against the rocks, and Melody's form vanished into the sea like a leaf swept away by the current.

"Melody!" Ethan's scream tore through the air, raw and desperate.

He instinctively moved to jump after her, but his foot froze mid-step, some primal instinct holding him back. He turned to the enforcers, his voice trembling yet clinging to control. "Will she die?"

"Hard to say..." The enforcer avoided his gaze, stunned by Ethan's composure.

Ethan's jaw clenched, teeth grinding. "Send more wolves to search. Get the best healer team on a chopper—find her now. She cannot die!"

The enforcer glanced at the churning waves, a dark abyss below.

Ethan roared, "Move!"

He took deep, ragged breaths, telling himself over and over: She'll be fine. She has to be. Melody had just gotten out of prison. She hadn't avenged her pup. She wouldn't just give up like this.

His phone rang, sharp and jarring, like a death knell. Zoe's voice purred through. "Ethan, you're not here yet?"

He stared at the sunrise creeping over the horizon, his voice hollow. "I'm coming."

On the way to the courthouse for his promotion, Zoe clung to his arm, her tone sugary. "You took care of Melody, right? Today's a big day. We can't have her causing a scene."

Ethan's mind flashed to Melody's resolute eyes as she clutched the urn and leapt. His heart stuttered. "She won't."

He wished she would show up, kicking and screaming—anything to prove she was still alive.

Zoe, oblivious, kept talking. "I'm the one who's been with you, climbing to the top. Melody's just dead weight, dragging you down. Once this is over, give her some cash, send her off to her lover, and be done with it."

The word lover pierced Ethan like a needle, sharp and searing. He said nothing, pulling his arm free and closing his eyes. "I'm gonna rest. Wake me when we get there."

The ride passed in silence.

The promotion ceremony began, and Ethan stood on the stage, the center of attention. Zoe's father, Benedict, handed him the high judge's certificate, clapping his shoulder. "My best student. After today, break your bond with that murderer and form a sacred bond with Zoe in two weeks. My daughter deserves a grand ceremony, got it?"

Ethan stayed silent, and Benedict took it as agreement.

The crowd erupted in applause, cheers echoing. But Ethan, standing at the peak of power, felt no joy. His eyes caught a fleeting glimpse of Melody in the crowd, holding their lost pup's hand, her lips forming the word: "Congratulations."

His heart seized, pain so sharp it felt like death. His vision darkened, and he collapsed on the stage.

When he came to, he immediately called the enforcers. "Did you find her?"

"We're still looking," the enforcer said hesitantly. "Ethan, you need to prepare yourself."

"If you don't find her, you're the one who needs to prepare," Ethan snapped, hanging up. His hands were shaking.

He dressed and stepped outside, only to hear Zoe's voice, sharp with disdain. "Get this junk out of here! Melody's taste was awful—what even is this furniture?"

Ethan stormed over, grabbing Zoe's wrist. She held the dress Melody wore at their binding ceremony. "What gives you the right to touch her things?"

Zoe blinked, confused. "Ethan, I'm about to be your mate. This house will be ours—me, you, and our pup. Her stuff has to go."

His grip tightened, nearly crushing her bones.

"Ethan—"

"Get out," he growled through gritted teeth.

Before he could say more, his phone rang. The enforcer's voice was grim. "It's been eight hours, Ethan. We haven't found her. She's likely... gone. I'm sorry."

Despair crashed over him like a tidal wave, and he collapsed again.